Lighter Recommendations?

[Bob Kuehner]

I've never been a smoker... until, at 60, I tried a pipe. Can't imagine what took me so long. Anyway, I'd like recommendations on a lighter, please. Now... I'm learning that, as with all things pipe smoking, "it's a matter of preference," but I really want to know what you use and why you like it.

 

[BROBS]

I use a 20 dollar ST DuPont eBay knockoff. One of the best working lighters I’ve ever owned.

 

[ray47]

Zippo lighters are good for when your outside. Bic lighters and wooden matches when smoking inside.

 

[seanv]

I just use a bic now

 

[bullet08]

Bic.

 

[mikestanley]

Its also a matter of how much you want to spend. I prefer the flame be angled so, that leaves out the Bic for me. I use an Il Corona Old Boy lighter in the house or at the tobacconist. A Zippo with the pipe chimney for the car. I have also found Lotus to make a good lighter for about half or more less than the Old Boy.
I find how you fill a butane lighter is at least as important as the lighter when it comes to working well.

Mike S.

 

[tobefrank]

I prefer my IM Corona Old Boy most of the time. I prefer butane lighters and don't think I ever need another one.

I also occasionally use my Zippo lighter with Thunderbird butane insert. I feel having quality smoking tools adds to the experience of smoking a pipe.

 

[BROBS]

I find how you fill a butane lighter is at least as important as the lighter when it comes to working well.

Big time.
I only recently learned that when you fill a butane lighter you should turn the flame down as low as possible when filling. Then adjust after. Otherwise your flame will constantly shrink.

 

[gervais]

I can vouch for the Kiribi Kabuto, if you don’t mind spending a few dollars. A bic works good too though!

 

[mso489]

I'm devoted to matches as a light for my pipes. They have perhaps the softest available flame and are easy to control. They enhance the ritual aspect of pipe smoking, and eliminate the slightly mechanical aspect of lighters. I have a lighter that I treasure for other reasons, but I'm stuck on matches as the means for lighting a pipe. I like the feel and sound of the match against the box. I still manage to darken the brim on a pipe or five, but probably do less damage with a match.

 

[jpmcwjr]

What BROBS said. Plus the Kabuto, and IM Corona Old Boys. All good.

Matches good, too, but I don't like the smell of sulphur, and esp. Don't like the smell of lighter fluid. So, Zippo only in a gale.

 

[musicman]

I almost exclusively use a Zippo with a pipe insert. 15 bucks, and it gives me a relatively easy to control windproof flame. I'll use a bic when I can't find my Zippo, but I find the Zippo is much better suited for the task than a bic. This might go without saying, but you do not want to use a butane torch lighter designed for lighting cigars, as you'll scorch your pipe. You want a soft flame.

 

[Chasing Embers]

These are okay.



This is best for most use.

 

[olkofri]

Kiribi.

BICs have charred the rims of quite a few of my pipes. I only use them in extreme circumstances. Once upon a time they used to have a flame regulator, but nowadays they don't and their flame is the size of a flamethrower.

Yes, I know there are guys like the Cap'n who have magic hands and superhuman reflexes and can completely invert the lighter and not get burned. I'm not one of them. A man has to know his limitations: ergo, I avoid BICs.

 

[BROBS]

Kiribi.

BICs have charred the rims of quite a few of my pipes. I only use them in extreme circumstances. Once upon a time they used to have a flame regulator, but nowadays they don't and their flame is the size of a flamethrower.

Yes, I know there are guys like the Cap'n who have magic hands and superhuman reflexes and can completely invert the lighter and not get burned. I'm not one of them. A man has to know his limitations: ergo, I avoid BICs.

I agree the flame can get way out of hand. Some are fine. Others have like 2 inch flame.

 

[olkofri]

I agree the flame can get way out of hand. Some are fine. Others have like 2 inch flame.

Funny how the tiny BICs have a flame as tall as themselves! ?

 

[oldguyoldpipes]

Regular Zippo and then I swap out the insert with a Thunderbird butane pipe chimney insert. I like butane over Zippo fuel.
Butane angled lighters or Swan matches.

 

[mingc]

Disposable Linse. My B&M charges $1.50 each. YMMV

 

[bullet08]

With stay at home order, might have to start using Kiribi. I'm running out of butane in current bic and only have one more left. But have a can of butane sitting around. Or I could go Zippo.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yes, I know there are guys like the Cap'n who have magic hands and superhuman reflexes and can completely invert the lighter and not get burned.

No need to invert, I just hold them sideways with the valve fork pointed away from me and draw the flame into the chamber.



The flames on my BICs and Old Boy are the same height.